Computer buying help

[Xavier]

Just thought I would give John a heads up, since he is the resident hardware expert :).

The hatrack thread... (http://www.hatrack.com/ubb/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=2&t=020940#000003)

[GreNME]

Looks decent to me, but I would take a long look at the whole price of everything before you buy. You may be able to get a Dell machine and then buy some extra RAM (and vid card) after market and be better off in price, as well as warranty. It's your call, though, as those parts seem respectable.

[Nick]

If you have some knowledge of computers yourself, you shouldn't have to get a warranty. I mean, it's nice to have when your DVD-ROM tray height adjuster irrepairably breaks (like mine), but it's not always necessary.

[GreNME]

Nick, would you buy an automobile without a warranty if you know a little bit about cars? Would you buy a large screen TV without a warranty if you knew a little about TV repair? Would you buy any appliance that costs more than a couple hundred dollars without a warranty, even if you knew a little about electronics repair?

If you said "yes" to any of those, you are a masochist, and a poor consumer. Oh, and gullible.

I put together my own machines, but I would never do it for anyone else, not even if they knew how to build one themselves. And I do computer work for a living. Having to keep track of all the various warranties on parts—if you even bother to keep them, fill them out, and mail them in—is difficult enough, and is much better when you can have a consolidated solution that the big-names can provide.

Besides, I can get paid quicker if their warranties cover the cost, and I don't have to bill them for it. ;)

[Nick]

True. I also build my own. When my dad gave me my Dell a few years back, I have replaced everything but the CD burner and my DVD ROM (which recently broke). If anything went wrong, I am confident in my knowledge to be able to fix it or replace it. And I only know what I call "a little bit about computers."
:)
I'm not a masochist.
but it's not always necessary.
Key words: not always

[GreNME]

That's only a kay word if you're gonna build it yourself. If you (or someone else) asked me to build it for you, the key word would be "never." The only exception would be if you offerec me incredibly stupid amounts of money, in which case I would take the time to just get the thing insured before letting you pay a 175% markup on it. ;)

[Nick]

I feel the same way, except when I built my friends PC for free. Best friends are a different story. :)

btw, I think you avatar looks better smaller now. ;)

[GreNME]

Danke on the avatar.

Between you and your friend, it sounds like one of those bonding activities, like when guys spend time putting together a car (for muscle or looks or fun). That's cool.

[Nick]

Yeah, I think that's a appropriate way of thinking about it. It was cool for him because he got to learn how computers work. :)